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Eagleton Institute prepares Rutgers students to run for public office
The Eagleton Institute of Politics’ Youth Political Participation Program (YPPP) and the League of Women Voters of New Jersey’s Young People’s Network collaborated yesterday to hold their second annual "RU Running?" event.
The event aimed to connect students with young adults who hold elected public office, raise awareness on ways to access the political party system and offer opportunities for students to apply what they learn. A panel of guest speakers was also featured at the event.
Elizabeth Matto, director of Eagleton’s YPPP, said young people play a particularly important role in politics through voting, campaigning, supporting candidates and volunteering, but running for and serving in office is another key way in which young adults can participate in the political process.
“I don’t think (running for office) is something that (young people) typically think of as a way of participating in politics, and often have no clue how to go about it, so what we hope to do is just offer the nuts and bolts of how to go about running for office,” Matto said.
Events like "RU Running?" work to demystify the process of running for political office and simplify what can often seem daunting to students, she said.
“You need to know the ins-and-outs of how to approach the system, how to get into the system, how to raise money, some fundraising techniques, how to develop a message and deliver that message,” Matto said.Mar 30 2017
